Rocked Down & Out (Rocked #11) by Clara Bayard Page A

uncharacteristically sweet, took my hand to reassure me. "Just get some sleep. I'm sure you're exhausted. The doctor is going to take care of Matty, you can see him in the morning when we know more."
    "All right. But you'll call me if anything happens or if there's news?"
    "Absolutely."
    I went to my room, got undressed and climbed into bed, but couldn't sleep. I just lay there looking out the window for hours, clutching my phone and willing it to ring. Finally, as the sun began to rise, there was a knock on my door. I ran over and opened it, frantic.
    Matthew stood in the doorway, looking like hell, with a file folder under his arm. His eyes were hooded and his posture terrible.
    "Are you okay?" I asked, itching to touch him, but afraid to.
    When he spoke his voice was cold and flat. "Just got back to the hotel. Had to get an x-ray."
    "Oh." I twisted my fingers in the hem of my nightshirt. "Do you want to come in?"
    "No." He stared at me blankly. "I just came by to tell you what you've done."
    "I…"
    "No, don't speak. Thanks to you, my life is over. I'm off the tour, effective immediately. And they're bringing in some random asshole to fill in for me. Just like that. One phone call between the label, their lawyers and the doc, and I'm out. Replaced in five seconds flat."
    "Oh, no. I'm so sorry."
    He held up a hand, wincing. "Don't even try it. You promised me. I trusted you. Went to bat for you and this is how you thank me."
    "I didn't think this would happen."
    He nodded. "I know. But it did. And it's your fault. And I'll never forgive you."
    My mouth dropped open, but no words came out.
    Matthew glared at me for a few seconds and then made a disgusted sound. He turned around and began to walk away.
    "Wait, please," I pleaded, to no avail.
    I watched him leave and knew it was for the last time. I'd done the right thing, but lost everything. My heart was breaking and there was nothing more to say.
    TO BE CONCLUDED IN ROCKED FOREVER

About the Author
    Clara Bayard is a wealthy business owner who, following the brutal death of her parents, used that wealth to create a secret identity and a lot of cool gadgets in order to protect the city she adores, and keep others from experiencing the same pain she did.
    Wait, no. That’s Batman. 
    Clara is a just a regular gal living in the Mid-Atlantic region. She loves writing sexy stories about flawed people doing exciting things. When she’s not writing she enjoys talking to strangers in bars and marathon-watching TV shows everyone else has seen already.